Microsoft launches DirectStorage 1.2 with new features and fixes

DirectStorage 1.2 has been launched, offering performance improvements and more developer options

Microsoft has just released version 1.2 of their DirectStorage SDK, and while this version is not as revolutionary as its predecessor (which added GPU-based decompression), it adds several new features that are designed to make the lives of developers easier and hopefully spur on the API’s adoption. Additionally, there are some bug fixes and performance optimisations within the new SDK.

The first major change that DirectStorage 1.2 offers is a new “Force Buffered IO” option, which is primarily designed to allow developers to use the same code when playing games from legacy hard drives and high-speed SSDs. This change should help DirectStorage become adopted more broadly, as it allows DirectStorage to be optimally used with a broader range of storage devices, though Microsoft only recommends using this new option when slower HDD drives are used.

With the SDK’s new “GetCompressionSupport API”, developers can better understand the decompression paths that are being used by software, allowing for the optimisation of assets and software. More detailed descriptions of DirectStorage 1.2’s features are available to read here.  

With their DirectStorage 1.2 SDK, Microsoft are not bringing any revolutionary changes to DirectStorage, but they are making the feature easier for developers to adopt and utilise. Given how few games currently utilise the DirectStorage API, Microsoft are right to release developer-focused improvements over major feature overhauls. That said, it remains to be seen how much the release of DirectStorage 1.2 will impact DirectStorage’s adoption. 

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